How does adenomyosis typically affect a woman's menstrual cycles?

Adenomyosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. This disruption in the normal uterine structure often results in significant changes to a woman's menstrual cycles.

The correct choice indicates that cycles typically become heavier with prolonged bleeding. In cases of adenomyosis, the presence of endometrial tissue within the myometrium (the muscular layer of the uterus) can lead to increased menstrual flow, known as menorrhagia. The endometrial tissue continues to respond to hormonal cycles, leading to more substantial swelling and bleeding during menstruation. This excessive growth can also result in the same tissue breaking down and causing prolonged periods of bleeding. Women often report that they experience heavier than usual bleeding during menstruation, which can change the frequency and duration of their cycles.

Understanding the pathology of adenomyosis is crucial to recognizing why women experience these changes in their menstrual cycles. Other options may suggest lighter, regular cycles or less frequent periods, which do not align with the typical clinical presentation of adenomyosis. Hence, the option indicating heavier and prolonged bleeding accurately reflects the common symptoms experienced by women with this condition.